styr
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I have a JD770 and need to know what size rotary mower to buy
Rotary Mowers
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deerseeker001
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mguitas
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smstonypoint
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Your tractor has 2O PTO HP and is 54" wide according to TractorData.com John Deere 770 tractor information. I am not sure what type of tires are used to measure the width (e.g., R1 vs. R3).
It would be best to have your mower at least as wide as your tractor, so a 5' model would fit. However, the rule of thumb is 5HP per foot of mower width, so 4' would be appropriate. However, each manufacturer will list the recommended HP for each of its mowers. To illustrate, I am currently in the market for a mower to fit a Kubota B2320. Bush Hog has a 4' model that requires a minimum of 15 HP. Their lightweight 5' model requires 25HP. See BH10 Series Rotary Cutters.
The manufacturer HP minimum requirements may be conservative. You may be able to handle a 5' model in cutting light material. You may have to add front weights if you don't have a FEL.
Steve
PS -- I assume that you are asking about a rotary cutter rather than a finish mower.
It would be best to have your mower at least as wide as your tractor, so a 5' model would fit. However, the rule of thumb is 5HP per foot of mower width, so 4' would be appropriate. However, each manufacturer will list the recommended HP for each of its mowers. To illustrate, I am currently in the market for a mower to fit a Kubota B2320. Bush Hog has a 4' model that requires a minimum of 15 HP. Their lightweight 5' model requires 25HP. See BH10 Series Rotary Cutters.
The manufacturer HP minimum requirements may be conservative. You may be able to handle a 5' model in cutting light material. You may have to add front weights if you don't have a FEL.
Steve
PS -- I assume that you are asking about a rotary cutter rather than a finish mower.
You have 20 horsepower at the power take off. The usual standard is 5 HP per foot. So that works out as 4 feet for you. However....ahem.....if your doing lighter cutting, willing to go slower, willing to maybe keep your blades sharper, willing to mow a bit higher, willing to take a partial cut in thicker stuff you can get a lighter duty 5 foot one to work for you. You'll need weights on the front of your tractor EVEN if your mostly level. For real. Get front weights. A Landpride 1860 is a nice choice as its really 4.75 feet wide and comes in green!
smstonypoint
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jeff9366
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If you have a problem with a 5' 'hog mowing grass, sharpen the blades.
Briana03
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Welcome to TractorByNet!
We moved your thread to the Attachments forum.
We moved your thread to the Attachments forum.
Beltman60
Platinum Member
I would try the 5 footer
might have to take it a bit slower in the spring when things are a bit greener but once things start to dry out you'll be able to get done in a decent amount of time
like others have suggested keep the blades sharp and at rainy times you might have to cut a bit higher than you would like
might have to take it a bit slower in the spring when things are a bit greener but once things start to dry out you'll be able to get done in a decent amount of time
like others have suggested keep the blades sharp and at rainy times you might have to cut a bit higher than you would like
boggen
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highly suggested, a "slip clutch" that fits between rear pto shaft on tractor, and the gear box on the bush hog / rotatory cutter. new slip clutchs, need a "burn in" to deal with varnish on the clutchs that comes form the manufactures.
or...
"shear bolts" can work as well, but a "shear bolt is a shear bolt" specific grade of metal a specific diameter, etc... a shear bolt is just not some ordinary bolt you goto local hardware store and buy, know what type of bolt you need. so you do not damage your tractor, when the cutter gets hung up on a stump, fallen limb, dragged in the dirt, etc... have some extra shear bolts on hand.
some rotatory cutters have a slip clutch already attached directly to gear box of the rotatory cutter it self. were the pto shaft connects. some units do not. learn how to adjust the slip clutch, or to use proper shear bolt in the PTO shaft.
make sure you cut the PTO shaft down to correct length. for your tractor and given rotatory cutter you will be using as well.
Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer has some videos for dealing with PTO shaft length and cutting it down as well as dealing slip clutchs last time looked was over a year ago, but still should be on there website.
be mindful of rotatory cutters, they can send some very high speed projectiles out from it.
double check that you have all your sway bars and/or chains for 3pt hitch in place. for the 3pt hitch itself. rotatory cutters are heavy little critters that do like to swing back and forth like a dog's tail. and could put undo stress on 3pt hitch, if you do not have correct bars / chains in place. 3pt hitches are good at pulling, straight behind them. but if you got into some tight turns with rotatory cutter down and cutting, and it snags something... *arghs*
if you will be going through ditches and like. make sure you have a good top link adjusting bar. to let you bring the cutter up higher if you end up getting it stuck on the dirt *arghs* been there done that.
as others have said a FEL (front end loader) on tractor or front weights will most likely be needed/wanted, again cutters are rather heavy little critters, but they also stick out pretty far out behind the tractor. and if your not carefull the front wheels of tractor will and do come off the ground without proper weight in front of the tractor. "think kids playground tetter totter"
if you have "split rear brakes" a pedal for left rear tire and right rear tire brake, unlock the pedals, they can be a life saver when it comes to steering, when you can't count on the fronts grabbing much traction to turn you.
double checking top link and left/right links of 3pt hitch to properly level bush hog. to get nice cutting. along with tail wheel/s
you can adjust some 3pt hitchs so you set a 4foot bush hog/rotatory cutter off to one side to mow over one set of tire tracks. vs going up to a 5 foot deck to cover both tires.
or...
"shear bolts" can work as well, but a "shear bolt is a shear bolt" specific grade of metal a specific diameter, etc... a shear bolt is just not some ordinary bolt you goto local hardware store and buy, know what type of bolt you need. so you do not damage your tractor, when the cutter gets hung up on a stump, fallen limb, dragged in the dirt, etc... have some extra shear bolts on hand.
some rotatory cutters have a slip clutch already attached directly to gear box of the rotatory cutter it self. were the pto shaft connects. some units do not. learn how to adjust the slip clutch, or to use proper shear bolt in the PTO shaft.
make sure you cut the PTO shaft down to correct length. for your tractor and given rotatory cutter you will be using as well.
Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer has some videos for dealing with PTO shaft length and cutting it down as well as dealing slip clutchs last time looked was over a year ago, but still should be on there website.
be mindful of rotatory cutters, they can send some very high speed projectiles out from it.
double check that you have all your sway bars and/or chains for 3pt hitch in place. for the 3pt hitch itself. rotatory cutters are heavy little critters that do like to swing back and forth like a dog's tail. and could put undo stress on 3pt hitch, if you do not have correct bars / chains in place. 3pt hitches are good at pulling, straight behind them. but if you got into some tight turns with rotatory cutter down and cutting, and it snags something... *arghs*
if you will be going through ditches and like. make sure you have a good top link adjusting bar. to let you bring the cutter up higher if you end up getting it stuck on the dirt *arghs* been there done that.
as others have said a FEL (front end loader) on tractor or front weights will most likely be needed/wanted, again cutters are rather heavy little critters, but they also stick out pretty far out behind the tractor. and if your not carefull the front wheels of tractor will and do come off the ground without proper weight in front of the tractor. "think kids playground tetter totter"
if you have "split rear brakes" a pedal for left rear tire and right rear tire brake, unlock the pedals, they can be a life saver when it comes to steering, when you can't count on the fronts grabbing much traction to turn you.
double checking top link and left/right links of 3pt hitch to properly level bush hog. to get nice cutting. along with tail wheel/s
you can adjust some 3pt hitchs so you set a 4foot bush hog/rotatory cutter off to one side to mow over one set of tire tracks. vs going up to a 5 foot deck to cover both tires.
